Homeschooling

[Pure]

right rg.

deference to authority is a prime 'lesson of life,' and it's arguably learned MORE at home than at any other place.

==

Those were the rules [Gatto's rules] I grew up with. Both at school and at home.

Luckily, I overcame that. Although I still have scars that ache when it rains.

 

[CharleyH]

Seriously. Home schooling? We all might like to think we can teach our children better, but I am sure we can't. We cant teach them socialization for one and that is more important in life than mathematics.

 

[trysail]

http://www.calvertschool.org/education-services/homeschool-100th-anniversary/

2006 Marks Our Homeschooling Centennial
What A First Century It Has Been

Virgil Hillyer, the first Head Master of Calvert School, proposed the creation of the Home Instruction Department in 1905. The Calvert School Board of Directors approved his idea of selling the Day School’s courses to people in and around Baltimore. Hillyer talked a local bookstore owner into cooperating, and by June 1906, more than a dozen students had enrolled in the Home Instruction Department.

The students received the same lessons as their counterparts in the school. Hillyer and his staff mimeographed the lessons from teachers, then sent them out in time to reach the homes of the students on Monday morning, the first day of the new week’s classes. Homeschool students’ lessons were one week behind those of the students at the Day School.

Within a year, advertisements for this new program, the first homeschool curriculum program in the U.S., appeared in National Geographic, Harper’s and other prominent magazines. Missionaries, diplomats, and others in remote locations turned to Calvert for an American curriculum.

As word spread, the numbers grew. By 1918, enrollment in the homeschooling program exceeded 2,000. By the 1940s, children of soldiers stationed in Japan and Korea were studying the Calvert program in their homes overseas. By the 1960s, several schools began using the Calvert program with their students, taking the reputation Calvert had developed for educating children in homes and expanding it into their schools.

Students in Six of Seven Continents
Since then, the number of Calvert students has continued to grow. We can claim residents of all 50 states and most likely most ZIP codes, as well as almost 100 countries. Our students have lived on six of seven continents; no one has homeschooled to our knowledge on Antarctica.

Our students have received courses by mail, ship, airplane, dogsled, and parachute, during wartimes, peacetimes, floods, and practically every other natural and manmade occurrence. Today, students in more than 150 schools learn with Calvert courses, and those schools range from private schools and parochial schools to virtual schools, charter schools to international schools.

What unites every Calvert student is the Calvert program – the composition and grammar, including diagramming sentences; A Child’s History of the World, the timeless classic history book penned by Calvert’s first Head Master, Virgil Hillyer; the study of art history and music to create well-rounded students; the distinctive Calvert Script, which serves as a secret handshake when one former Calvert student sees the handwriting of another; and the constant reinforcement of key concepts through drill.

Whether you used Calvert School’s program in 1930 or last year, the philosophy and approach at Calvert School has not changed. As Head Master Hillyer explained more than eight decades ago: "School is not the preparation for life – it is life."

We hope you will take a moment to share your story with us – and others who are part of the growing Calvert homeschool family

 

[CharleyH]

http://www.calvertschool.org/education-services/homeschool-100th-anniversary/

2006 Marks Our Homeschooling Centennial
What A First Century It Has Been

Virgil Hillyer, the first Head Master of Calvert School, proposed the creation of the Home Instruction Department in 1905. The Calvert School Board of Directors approved his idea of selling the Day School’s courses to people in and around Baltimore. Hillyer talked a local bookstore owner into cooperating, and by June 1906, more than a dozen students had enrolled in the Home Instruction Department.

The students received the same lessons as their counterparts in the school. Hillyer and his staff mimeographed the lessons from teachers, then sent them out in time to reach the homes of the students on Monday morning, the first day of the new week’s classes. Homeschool students’ lessons were one week behind those of the students at the Day School.

Within a year, advertisements for this new program, the first homeschool curriculum program in the U.S., appeared in National Geographic, Harper’s and other prominent magazines. Missionaries, diplomats, and others in remote locations turned to Calvert for an American curriculum.

As word spread, the numbers grew. By 1918, enrollment in the homeschooling program exceeded 2,000. By the 1940s, children of soldiers stationed in Japan and Korea were studying the Calvert program in their homes overseas. By the 1960s, several schools began using the Calvert program with their students, taking the reputation Calvert had developed for educating children in homes and expanding it into their schools.

Students in Six of Seven Continents
Since then, the number of Calvert students has continued to grow. We can claim residents of all 50 states and most likely most ZIP codes, as well as almost 100 countries. Our students have lived on six of seven continents; no one has homeschooled to our knowledge on Antarctica.

Our students have received courses by mail, ship, airplane, dogsled, and parachute, during wartimes, peacetimes, floods, and practically every other natural and manmade occurrence. Today, students in more than 150 schools learn with Calvert courses, and those schools range from private schools and parochial schools to virtual schools, charter schools to international schools.

What unites every Calvert student is the Calvert program – the composition and grammar, including diagramming sentences; A Child’s History of the World, the timeless classic history book penned by Calvert’s first Head Master, Virgil Hillyer; the study of art history and music to create well-rounded students; the distinctive Calvert Script, which serves as a secret handshake when one former Calvert student sees the handwriting of another; and the constant reinforcement of key concepts through drill.

Whether you used Calvert School’s program in 1930 or last year, the philosophy and approach at Calvert School has not changed. As Head Master Hillyer explained more than eight decades ago: "School is not the preparation for life – it is life."

We hope you will take a moment to share your story with us – and others who are part of the growing Calvert homeschool family

And... ?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

that said, we have to look, comparatively, at the "leave it to the parents" solution, as regards, conformity. it's not as if every parent is a creative scientist, as opposed to an unschooled ignoramus.

But we have to have the freedom to homeschool or not. It's like free speech, Pure. You can't have it both ways. If creative geniuses like me can homeschool their kids, well then so can any unschooled ignoramus... (although if they were truly "unschooled" I'd say they'll probably do a better job than most college-trained teachers! )

think of the emotional dependence of the child. the parent from day one, is in charge of nourishing emotions. ADD to that that the parent is also in charge of schooling and will use the dependence to promote that schooling.

But a parent will be (in theory, we hope) emotionally involved and invested in that child FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. Big difference. A parent is someone who a child naturally has a dependency upon, and who will not abuse that dependency (again, in theory) and will foster healthy learning and healthy independence (in a way schools aren't invested in... hell, parents don't WANT to take care of their kids forever, right? Schools, though... they want obedience before anything else, and discipline is #1...)

Whether you agree with their views or not...

consider how often a child's views echo those of the parents. many parents defer to authority, for example that of their local evangelical minister. independence of mind in kids can rarely arise where it doesn't exist in the parents.

Again, depends on the parents. Do I think it's unfortunate that certain things get passed on? Yes. But I think we need to have the freedom to choose, one way or another.

the opposite holds, as well, for home schooled kids. consider this kid, whose parents tell him or her, 'your learning this will determine whether you're in my good book.' the child's self esteem is thus entirely based on his acceptance of what the parents want him or her to learn.

I guess it depends on the way you homeschool. But I would argue that a parents' influence (however strict) is better, in any case, than the peer influence that develops in schools.

if the child is schooled at home, they are under surveillance 24/7. indeed many parents take the kids from public school in order to more closely supervise.

Christ, Pure, you sound like my ex! LOL As if a child is being kept hostage within his own family!?!? Familial connections are (usually) lifelong things... if they're healthy, a child gets plenty of time alone to explore and do what he/she likes... much more than when they're in school. And again... are there dysfunctional families? Sure, lots. But they should have the same freedoms as I do to homeschool.

Seems to me like you want to force these (especially xtian) homeschoolers into public schools to brainwash them into YOUR way of thinking, rather than having them "brainwashed" into their parents' way of thinking?

Your assumption is, of course, that your version of brainwashing is better?

===

even where the public school is mediocre, it may, much of the time, at least allow the child *independence of movement*, and expose the child to thoughts other than those of his or her parents. hence, re independence, the mediocre school away from home, may, in the majority of cases, produce the better result.

Better result ... for? You? The child? Society?

does anyone have DATA as to outcomes of home schooling, esp. as regards independence of thought, devotion to lifelong learning etc?? also comparative data for home schooled and other students. independence of mind is rare in the best of situations; perhaps even more rare in many of the home schooled. let's see the comparative data.

Academic Statistics on Homeschooling

"This was confirmed in another study by Dr. Lawrence Rudner of 20,760 homeschooled students which found the homeschoolers who have homeschooled all their school aged years had the highest academic achievement. This was especially apparent in the higher grades..."

"...study demonstrated that only 13.9 percent of the mothers (who are the primary teachers) had ever been certified teachers. The study found that there was no difference in the students' total reading, total math and total language scores based on the teacher certification status of their parents..."

".. Statistics also demonstrate that homeschoolers tend to score above the national average on both their SAT and ACT scores."


Homeschooling Grows Up


"...Only 4.2% of the homeschool graduates surveyed consider politics and government too complicated to understand, compared to 35% of U.S. adults (Table 2). This may account for why homeschool graduates work for candidates, contribute to campaigns, and vote in much higher percentages than the general population of the United States ..."

(Is this your worst fear or what, Pure? lol)

"...When compared to the general population of the United States, homeschool graduates are just more content..."

"...95% of the homeschool graduates surveyed are glad that they were homeschooled . In the opinion of the homeschool graduates, homeschooling has not hindered them in their careers or education. Eighty-two percent would homeschool their own children. Of the 812 study participants who had children age 5 or older, 74% were already homeschooling...."


As for your argument, Pure... perhaps this article might interest you.

Reich presents an argument you might make:

In his paper, Reich traces the rise of home education, the interests in education held by the government, the parent, and the child, and sets forth his suggestions for balancing these interests. These suggestions lead Reich to conclude that "while the state should not ban homeschooling it must nevertheless regulate its practice with vigilance."3

Reich's proposed regulations include "periodic assessments that would measure their [home schoolers] success in examining and reflecting upon diverse worldviews."4 These regulations are in furtherance of Reich's view that:

"Children are owed as a matter of justice the capacity to choose to lead lives--adopt values and beliefs, pursue an occupation, endorse new traditions--that are different from those of their parents. Because the child cannot him or herself ensure the acquisition of such capacities and the parents may be opposed to such acquisition, the state must ensure it for them. The state must guarantee that children are educated for minimal autonomy."


However, in this response, (and I agree, go figure) there is also this summation of Reich's (and presumably, your) views:

The real root of the problem home education presents to Reich is that home educators have removed themselves from America's educational system and its underlying values. Their children are beyond the reach of the elite and the predominate world view of relativism or secular humanism. As home schooling continues to grow and prosper, this will become increasingly troublesome to the educational establishment. But more than being beyond the intellectual elite, the children of home educators are largely beyond the reach of the state. It will take novel legal theories to break this constitutional protection. And it is here that Reich's theories are most concerning, indeed dangerous.

****

As Rob stated... he learned to be oppressed in both places, school and home... and overcame that. So can others, if their life circumstances are unfortunate enough to include such teachings. The existence of some dysfunctional families in the world shouldn't mean limiting the freedoms of the whole.

 

[CeriseNoire]

That is one point I do agree with: the freedom for parents to homeschool does need to be there. Besides, considering the disdain in which some parents hold teachers, it truly would be more beneficial for their kids to stay at home. After those kids have been taught that if some teachers are dreadful, it follows that all of them must be, there's not much any teacher can manage to teach them.

Still, even if no school makes things easier for some to abuse their children without anyone to meddle, that doesn't mean homeschooling rights should be withheld from everyone. It's the same reason why I support the rights of groups who think I have no right to existence to say so and parade. Taking away because of the few who abuse a concept is a slippery slope.

 

[Liar]

Although I don't really think there is anything particulary bad with home schooling, provided it's done right, by people who are in touch with their own limitations as teachers... I can't quite figure out the rationale for it either.

I mean, it takes years of higher education to become a licensed teacher. And not for no reason. A good teacher possess thorough knowledge of the subjects she teaches, deep knowledge of the wider context of the subject, and are well versed in pedagogic and didactic methods, that I am not presumptious enough to think I, as a possible future parent, possess.

There must be some pretty strong arguments to say "nah, I don't want that for my kid, I can do better". Let along the pretty damn awesome social interface that a school class can be for a youngster.

Every reason I can think of on my own casts the parent in pretty bad light. Possessiveness? ("Nobody but me is going to have an influence on MY kids.") Distrust? ("I can do a better job than those hacks that call themselves teachers.") Fear? ("I can't stand the thought of letting my children out of my sight all day. What if I'm not there 24/7 to protect them?") Egoism? ("I love to spend all my waking hours with my children.")

Could someone please explain it to me?

Not why home schooling is not harmful. (it's probably not if done right, just like 'away schooling' or any other form.) But why it's the preferred option.

 

[Liar]

I was in kindergarten from age 3.

When I mention this to some people - americans or people from southern Europe mostly, they tend to get horrified and think my parents didn't love me.

When it's the other way around. I had no kids my age to play wiyth on my street. Daycare was where I could meet and make friends. So they reluctantly gave up their time with me for a couple of hours a day, for my sake.

Two and a hlf decade later, some of my my best and most trusted friends are the ones I met there.

 

[Vermilion]

Although I don't really think there is anything particulary bad with home schooling, provided it's done right, by people who are in touch with their own limitations as teachers... I can't quite figure out the rationale for it either.

I mean, it takes years of higher education to become a licensed teacher. And not for no reason. A good teacher possess thorough knowledge of the subjects she teaches, deep knowledge of the wider context of the subject, and are well versed in pedagogic and didactic methods, that I am not presumptious enough to think I, as a possible future parent, possess.

There must be some pretty strong arguments to say "nah, I don't want that for my kid, I can do better". Let along the pretty damn awesome social interface that a school class can be for a youngster.

Every reason I can think of on my own casts the parent in pretty bad light. Possessiveness? ("Nobody but me is going to have an influence on MY kids.") Distrust? ("I can do a better job than those hacks that call themselves teachers.") Fear? ("I can't stand the thought of letting my children out of my sight all day. What if I'm not there 24/7 to protect them?") Egoism? ("I love to spend all my waking hours with my children.")

Could someone please explain it to me?

Not why home schooling is not harmful. (it's probably not if done right, just like 'away schooling' or any other form.) But why it's the preferred option.

dunno about anywhere else, but here in the UK all it takes to be a teacher is a BA/Bsc in a subject and a one year teacher training course to learn about *how to do the paperwork*. Seriously, that course only teaches you how to follow the syllabus correctly and uniformyl and how to meet assessment requirements. I have a mixed subject BA , my Fiance has an MA and a PhD. We are *at least* as well educated as any 'qualified' teacher.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, I just wanted to point out that being a qualified teacher does not necessarily mean that you are better qualified to teach, if you follow me...

x
V

 

[Liar]

dunno about anywhere else, but here in the UK all it takes to be a teacher is a BA/Bsc in a subject and a one year teacher training course to learn about *how to do the paperwork*. Seriously, that course only teaches you how to follow the syllabus correctly and uniformyl and how to meet assessment requirements. I have a mixed subject BA , my Fiance has an MA and a PhD. We are *at least* as well educated as any 'qualified' teacher.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, I just wanted to point out that being a qualified teacher does not necessarily mean that you are better qualified to teach, if you follow me...

Heh. Didn't know that. I thought it was pretty much the same standards as here. A subject BA mixed in with a total of 1,5 years (I think) of classes and training in how to teach. Didactics, different pedagogic approaches, conflict management, on-site practicing (most of the substitute teachers in Swedish shools are teacher students doing one of their internship rounds).

There's probably a month in there somewhere with paperwork too. But since buerocracy around said paperwork is in constant flux, it's pretty pointless to try and learn some routine or assessment requirement that is outdated within a year or five.

But ok, if that's the shape of a lisenced teacher in meany parts of the world, maybe there really IS ground for the distrust I mentioned?

 

[Vermilion]

Heh. Didn't know that. I thought it was pretty much the same standards as here. A subject BA mixed in with a total of 1,5 years (I think) of classes and training in how to teach. Didactics, different pedagogic approaches, conflict management, on-site practicing (most of the substitute teachers in Swedish shools are teacher students doing one of their internship rounds).

There's probably a month in there somewhere with paperwork too. But since buerocracy around said paperwork is in constant flux, it's pretty pointless to try and learn some routine or assessment requirement that is outdated within a year or five.

oh there's practical work in the classroom too, but we have many teacher friends and they say that all the course does is teach u how to fill in forms. All your useful learning comes from other teachers...

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

It's one thing learning about the Louvre. It's another spending two days exploring it.

Or two weeks. Or two months. Or six months.

And then down to Florence . . .

 

[Liar]

oh there's practical work in the classroom too, but we have many teacher friends and they say that all the course does is teach u how to fill in forms. All your useful learning comes from other teachers...

Yep well I do agree with that. Wether there are other courses on teaching or not on the curricilum, interaction with experienced teachers (or welder or doctor or anything for other professions) is the best education for anyone who wants to get good at the job.

So...where does home schooling parents get that interaction? Or don't they need it for some reason?

Here I go, now I'm beginning to focis on the potentional risks with homeschooling, which was not my intention. (There are potentional risks with everything)

So back to the original quesiton: Why is it good?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

My great grandfather was home-schooled and graduated Harvard University. His brother was Phi Beta Kappa at Vanderbilt.

My daughter home-schooled my grand-daughter. Samantha graduated high school at 14 and attends college at 15.

The socialization concern is pish posh. All public school does is expose your kid to trash.

 

[angelicminx]

...

Because of regulatory requirements tied to student financial aid, some colleges and universities have raised questions about whether homeschooled students are eligible for admission and for financial aid. The Higher Education Act, the federal law authorizing financial aid, restricts schools from admitting students unless they have obtained a "recognized equivalent of a high-school diploma." To comply with this, some colleges have admitted home schooler students only if they have earned a General Education Development (GED) diploma or have passed a federally approved test showing that they have the "ability to benefit" from attending college (Morgan, 2003).

In June, 2002, Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon introduced a bill (HR4866) that clarified that homeschooled students would not have to obtain a GED or pass any other standardized tests that college use to determine a student's "ability to benefit" from college. The measure was defeated on the House floor, but college officials expect the issue to re-emerge when lawmakers draft legislation in Fall 2003 to renew the Higher Education At (Morgan, 2003).

====
---
Pure: In simple terms, some home schoolers wish to prevent an objective assessment of the results, to BAR colleges from subjecting the students to the same admissions tests as everyone else.

Just out of curiosity, are (or would) ALL students required to take this assessment? If so, then I'm for it. If not, then what's wrong with just taking the ACT and SAT? It seems to me that just because someone has a high school diploma, it doesn't mean they have the 'ability to benefit' from college.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LIAR

Education colleges generally have the lowest admission requirements.

 

[Pure]

ironies. or, the full circle.

Calvert promo material

Since then, the number of Calvert students has continued to grow. We can claim residents of all 50 states and most likely most ZIP codes, as well as almost 100 countries. Our students have lived on six of seven continents; no one has homeschooled to our knowledge on Antarctica.

Our students have received courses by mail, ship, airplane, dogsled, and parachute, during wartimes, peacetimes, floods, and practically every other natural and manmade occurrence. Today, students in more than 150 schools learn with Calvert courses, and those schools range from private schools and parochial schools to virtual schools, charter schools to international schools.

What unites every Calvert student is the Calvert program – the composition and grammar, including diagramming sentences; A Child’s History of the World, the timeless classic history book penned by Calvert’s first Head Master, Virgil Hillyer; the study of art history and music to create well-rounded students; the distinctive Calvert Script, which serves as a secret handshake when one former Calvert student sees the handwriting of another; and the constant reinforcement of key concepts through drill.

Whether you used Calvert School’s program in 1930 or last year, the philosophy and approach at Calvert School has not changed. As Head Master Hillyer explained more than eight decades ago: "School is not the preparation for life – it is life."
----


pure comments: to teach my child to be an individual, and not a slave to the system, i purchase the Calvert curriculum package and teach it. the individuality of my child is instantly recognizable: his handwriting--taught directly, as in 1900-- closely resembles that of the other Calvert 'graduates.'

i've seen a bit of the homeschooling Christian material on the founding of the US by devout believers like Washington (who didn't attend church, iirc). it's now packaged. the children's free spirits can be nourished on Dobson approved material-- as opposed to the pinko-secularist US-govt-approved material.

---
constant reinforcement of key concepts through drill.

"Kiddies: Write in you best hand, one hundred lines. 'Calvert is wonderful. I love Calvert.' "

 

[Pure]

note to selena

Selena, including quotes from others:

//Reich's proposed regulations [for home schoolers] include "periodic assessments that would measure their [home schoolers] success in examining and reflecting upon diverse worldviews."4 These regulations are in furtherance of Reich's view that:

"Children are owed as a matter of justice the capacity to choose to lead lives--adopt values and beliefs, pursue an occupation, endorse new traditions--that are different from those of their parents. Because the child cannot him or herself ensure the acquisition of such capacities and the parents may be opposed to such acquisition, the state must ensure it for them. The state must guarantee that children are educated for minimal autonomy."

However, in this response, (and I agree, go figure) there is also this summation of Reich's (and presumably, your) views:

The real root of the problem home education presents to Reich is that home educators have removed themselves from America's educational system and its underlying values. Their children are beyond the reach of the elite and the predominate world view of relativism or secular humanism. As home schooling continues to grow and prosper, this will become increasingly troublesome to the educational establishment. But more than being beyond the intellectual elite, the children of home educators are largely beyond the reach of the state. It will take novel legal theories to break this constitutional protection. And it is here that Reich's theories are most concerning, indeed dangerous. //

----
I'm not sure the alleged quote is from Reich, or a summary of him.
As to the reply-- that the secularist oppressors are getting nervous because free spirited xian children are no longer slaves to the state-endorsed ways of thinking-- i'd say it's a bit tendentious.

The whole passage is rampant of the US paranoia about the evil 'state,' and neglects to mention such TERRIBLE state programs (deplored by amicus and the rightwing, to this day) as abolition of slavery and women's voting rights.

it's especially concerning to me, selena, if you buy this approach, and at the same time want to further 'free speech' and 'artistic expressioin.' the great advances there in the last half century were from those nasty 'judicial activists' deplored by the right, who decided the Lady Chatterly's Lover and Ulysses should not be banned.
---

the children of home educators are largely beyond the reach of the state.

i can't tell you how comforting this is. all those tiny minds, in the hands of mr. dobson, mr falwell, mr. robertson and others instead of tyrannical state agencies influenced by 'secular humanists' like Bertrand Russell.

 

[CeriseNoire]

I hate to agree with JBJ, but in my experience, I've been a lot more successful at my job than a lot of my colleagues who majored in education. That still doesn't mean that all Education College graduates are hacks.

As a side note, I still have to take all the pedagogy and foundations classes teaching me stuff I've been doing all along.

 

[lisa123414]

Nirvana –
Home schooling is all up to you. Some parents can, some will be better off not to. I was urged to home school my son by several experts including my pediatrician and an educational psychologist whom we consulted.

He (my son) is not only a genius, but a free spirit who was tossed about by the inconsistencies of public school. Most teachers adored him, recognizing and appreciating the fact he was different, but some indeed tried to stomp out his individuality because it disrupted their job as they tried to teach the other twenty five in his class.

The problem, no way could I home school him. I am disorganized and a procrastinator, I can barely manage to get everyone fed and dressed, we would both have been cramming to get the curricula covered. He managed in public school until he reached middle school, where he had problems both with the staff and the other students.

To make a long story short, he is now in private school. I don’t know what I would have done if I could not have afforded this school.

If you can successfully home school your child – do it! If you can’t, don’t sweat it. Move to the best school district you can find, and get involved to make your school even better. I have three other children who are getting an excellent education in public school.

Each case is different, some kids thrive being home schooled, some don’t. Only you know enough about your child to decide.
Good Luck in whatever you choose.


P.S. to Cerise - sure wish you would have been around to teach my son! I still keep in touch with his second grade teacher, who has gone on to a tougher life in a nearby urban school. I adore her as he did.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

it's especially concerning to me, selena, if you buy this approach, and at the same time want to further 'free speech' and 'artistic expressioin.' the great advances there in the last half century were from those nasty 'judicial activists' deplored by the right, who decided the Lady Chatterly's Lover and Ulysses should not be banned.

Ah, but I happen to be on the other end of the spectrum from the fundamental xtians taking their kids out of schools to keep them from being exposed to the evil leftist "elements" so to speak. I'm actually more of this type:

presumably there are cases where the parent is highly devoted to individualism, or has anti-authoritarian views, possibly even of a leftish nature. certainly it is possible to equal the academic content of public schools without much trouble.

although not completely

As you say here... it is possible to equal (and surpass) the academic content of public school without much trouble. Studies have certainly proven this out.

I certainly DO support both free speech AND the freedom to homeschool. Even if I don't like it. Do I like that the fundamental xtians are out there making more Jerry Falwells?? No. But I'll defend their right to do it. Just like I'd defend someone's right to write a story about violent rape.

Obviously, your support of freedom has more... limits...

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I hate to agree with JBJ, but in my experience, I've been a lot more successful at my job than a lot of my colleagues who majored in education. That still doesn't mean that all Education College graduates are hacks.

As a side note, I still have to take all the pedagogy and foundations classes teaching me stuff I've been doing all along.

I was an education major. I did everything but finish my student teaching (I decided to graduate early with just my BA in English rather than finish the teaching degree... long story). And no offense to education majors... or teachers, for that matter... you've got a hard job... considering...

But the classes were pretty much cakewalks, and I discovered that ed majors were MUCH more interested in their own grades than really learning how to teach. And all of the stuff we learned about learning styles, etc, were pretty much thrown out the window in a classroom of thirty kids with different learning styles - it was all about the discipline. A teacher is very much a slave to the corporate-driven curriculum and a P.C. administration. Teaching children becomes like an afterthought in the midst of all that. It sucks for teachers who actually want to teach, really.

 

[Pure]

the point, selena, is that you can write about your violent rape becuase of the power of the federal govt, the SC, the broad construction of the 14th amendment, which vastly increased federal authority.

were the US entirely run at the local level, in 9 cases out of 10 you'd be at the mercy of Pastor Bob and his devoted congregants, all homeschooled by the previous generation of local congregants.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

My husband's family all did/does homeschooling. He was homeschooled for most of his school career. Right now, our kids are in public school. However, I'm hoping when they reach middle school to take them out and homeschool them. Being a school teacher myself, I know what happens in those schools... and I don't want my kids in that environment.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

the point, selena, is that you can write about your violent rape becuase of the power of the federal govt, the SC, the broad construction of the 14th amendment, which vastly increased federal authority.

were the US entirely run at the local level, in 9 cases out of 10 you'd be at the mercy of Pastor Bob and his devoted congregants, all homeschooled by the previous generation of local congregants.

I'm not advocating that the US be run entirely at a local level. I'm saying that people should have the FREEDOM to choose homeschooling or not - no matter what their religious affiliation. Period. It's obvious, just from the response on this thread, that a majority of people would still choose public school. Which is ALSO a valid choice. Not necessarily the better one, or superior (nor am I saying homeschool is either) but valid.

So your point is... moot.